matsumoto

When we first decided to visit Japan earlier this year, trying to plan where we wanted to visit quickly became overwhelming. Three weeks, which initially seemed like a decent amount of time in a geographically small country, was quickly filled up when we realised just how much there was to do in the show-stoppers like Kyoto, Tokyo and Osaka. While these must-visit cities held the allure of bright lights and non-stop action, I also really wanted to get out into the mountains to see the autumn leaves in all their red and gold blazing glory. After tossing up a few options in the Japanese Alps, we decided that a visit to the mountain city of Matsumoto and a hike along a Japanese feudal ‘highway’ would be a leisurely introduction to Japan.